Cornered

This weekend, November 10 and 11, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Fenway Studios, a National Historic Landmark and the oldest purpose-built structure in the country designed solely as artist studios, hosts “Fenway Studios Open Studios Weekend.” Work ranging from abstract expressionism to post-modern realism is available; whether you’re a major collector or someone looking for a special gift or unique stocking stuffers or cards to adorn your gifts (all worthy of frames in their own right) — or you’re just interested in seeing a strong cross-section of locally-created art in the space where they’re made, the event promises to be visually and spiritually rewarding. If you attend, please bring a donation for its 10th Annual Food Drive to Benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. A few days prior to the event, Artscope managing editor Brian Goslow exchanged questions with Lynda McNally, the … [Read more...] about CORNERED: LYNDA MCNALLY, FOUNDING PRESIDENT, FRIENDS OF FENWAY STUDIOS

CORNERED: ROSEMARY LEBEAU by Brian Goslow Central Massachusetts-based Rosemary LeBeau works in several magical mediums — wall assemblages, objets d’art, vue d’optique, hand-made books, rust works — each of which brings her viewers to several sensory states, including the reawakening of memories and senses of favorite objects from years ago (for instance, the animals in her composition that hark back to Christmas displays of our youth) and pieced together objects to which she gives recognizable features that cause our natural imagination to attribute them human-like characteristics that would look great in a front yard or home den. Then there are her larger pieces — reminiscent of 19th century offices and grocery stores, normally seen recreated as part of a museum’s depiction of life in centuries past — which leave viewers in awe. Artscope managing editor Brian Goslow … [Read more...] about CORNERED: ROSEMARY LEBEAU

by Brian Goslow Katherine Richmond is an adventurer and international award-winning fine art photographer based in Gloucester, Mass. Her work reflects her passions; land and seascapes, wildlife, documentary, portrait and abstracts. Artscope managing editor Brian Goslow exchanged questions with her via email in advance of the “Expeditions: From Iceland to the Gobi Desert” exhibition that will be on view from February 1 through March 10 at the Paula Estey Gallery, 3 Harris St., Newburyport, Mass. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR WORK THAT’LL BE IN THE SHOW IN TERMS OF TITLES, MEDIUM AND HOW IT WAS CREATED — AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO CONVEY THROUGH IT. The name of my photograph is “Ludivine.” It’s a French word that I chose meaning divine light. The experience of capturing this taught me to put yourself in that place, where ever it may be, observe, and don’t give up, you never … [Read more...] about CORNERED: KATHERINE RICHMOND

by Brian Goslow Lisa Lebofsky is a painter from New York who is currently in the midst of an 18 to 24-month long mission of residency hopping across The United States and Canada. Her paintings explore the emotional and physical human relationship with nature. Artscope managing editor Brian Goslow exchanged questions with her via email in advance of the “Expeditions: From Iceland to the Gobi Desert” exhibition that will be on view from February 1 through March 10 at the Paula Estey Gallery, 3 Harris St., Newburyport, Massachusetts. TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR WORK THAT’LL BE IN THE SHOW IN TERMS OF TITLES, MEDIUM AND HOW IT WAS CREATED — AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO CONVEY THROUGH IT. (My) artwork in show (will be): "Ice from Aqajarua,” oil paint on paper, 5” x 7”. It was painted en plein air one still silvery morning while anchored off the coast of Greenland. In this … [Read more...] about CORNERED: LISA LEBOFSKY

INTERVIEW
DEAN NANCY BAUER, SCHOOL OF THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS AT TUFTS
by Laura Shabott I walk into the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts on the day of its alumni reception for the annual SMFA Art Sale fundraiser. The energy in the school is palpable; this is one of the busiest days of the year for the 147-year-old institution. I am greeted warmly by Clare Saunders, assistant to the dean. There are racks and walls filled with art as we climb the stairs to the administrative offices. As an alumna of the SMFA (diploma 1995), I can sense the change in the very fiber of the school; it is welcoming and cared for, the result of a merger with Tufts University in 2016 with Dr. Nancy Bauer as dean. That she took the time for me on this particular day was a testament to her dedication to artists. Bauer glows from accomplishing more than most: dean, academic dean, Ph.D. in … [Read more...] about CORNERED: SMFA AT TUFTS DEAN NANCY BAUER

By Brian Goslow Worcester, MASS -- While he’s now best known for his large abstract paintings, David Skillicorn’s artistic career began as a videographer and documentary filmmaker in the 1970s. It was during a 1998 visit to Cape Cod to film master painter Steve Allrich at dawn that, inspired by watching the process in which a few strokes transformed a blank canvas into “absolute magic,” that he decided to trade his camera and gear for brushes and canvas – but not before completing his project, which became “Cape Cod: Through Artists Eyes,” which aired on Channel Five in Boston. Over the past two decades, as an artist, Skillicorn’s built a strong portfolio of abstract paintings and found success on both the East and West Coast. His work can currently be seen alongside that of Alicia Blaze Hunsicker, Gary Niswonger, Laura Radwell, Marlene Rye and KC Scott in the “Out of the West: … [Read more...] about CORNERED: DAVID SKILLICORN